When our program started, I specified the Federal Tac for various reasons. Now due to budget cuts, the chief says that we can’t afford to continue and have to find a less expensive alternative.
I have been informed, that he is changing our patrol rifle round from the Federal TAC 62grain to either the Federal TRU 64 grain SP or the Hornady 62 grain barrier.
I have read the stickys and have shown him the research by Dr. Roberts and still can’t persuade him to reconsider. I’ve tried every avenue of approach I can think of including the ever popular “when lives are on the line, we can’t afford to be cheap”.
I am not in favor of this change but I may be forced into it by the powers that be. Any infomation you have will be helpful. I still have hope that with more info, I can change his mind.
The Federal 64 gr TRU, while a good load in unobstructed shots, is NOT a barrier blind round (see glass test shots), as even Federal’s own literture demonstrates: http://le.atk.com/pdf/223RifleDataBook.pdf
If you can’t go with the Fed Tac loads using the 55 or 62 gr TBBC, consider loads using the Nosler 60 gr Partition, the Rem 62 gr bonded JSP, the Speer 64 gr JSP Gold Dot, 75 gr Swift Scirrocco bonded PT, or possibly the Barnes TSX projectiles. The Hornady 62 gr load is also OK given your situation.
One way to save money is to only shoot your duty ammo for the actual qualifications that are required and use cheaper practice ammo for all other training. That is what I have done at my department and it allows us to have more ammo to shoot and still have good duty ammo. I know some agencies shoot their duty ammo for all training and that is a waste of money in my opinion. All you need to do is make sure your duty ammo is reliable in your weapon system.
Pat